Sterling enjoying career-best season - Seven Stats as Man City blow Spurs away

Aditya Devavrat 00:33 17/12/2017
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    • After Manchester City beat Manchester United last week, Saturday’s match against Tottenham looked like the best chance for the Premier League leaders’ record-setting winning streak to come to an end. Despite the 18-point gap between the two sides ahead of this fixture, Spurs had a good record against Pep Guardiola‘s City, having yet to lose to the Spaniard in the Premier League.

    But in the end, it was a false hope, as City’s imperious form this season continued and they stretched their winning streak to 16 games. An early goal allowed the hosts to settle in, and then they blew Spurs away on the counter in the second-half to record a 4-1 win.

    Here are seven deadly stats from the clash at the Etihad Stadium.

    GUNDOGAN’S LONG WAIT

    Ilkay Gundogan has had rotten luck with injuries during his career, which is why City’s move for him last season represented something of a gamble. Sure enough, he’d suffer another long-term injury last December. However, he’s back fit and in form now, and after replacing David Silva in Saturday’s starting XI he duly marked the moment with the opening goal.

    SPURS DEFENCE CAUGHT NAPPING

    Spurs had made a solid if unspectacular start to the game, harrying City and holding their shape in defence. It was a good blueprint for success, especially in an away game, but it was undone by the weakness that has suddenly crept into what used to be one of the best-organised defences in England. The manner of Gundogan’s goal would have been particularly galling for Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, as the German ghosted in unmarked to power home a free header from a corner. 

    SANE CONTINUES TO SHOW HIS CLASS

    It may have been a rare goal for Gundogan, but his compatriot Leroy Sane is no stranger to making his mark on the scoresheet, especially at the Etihad. He didn’t net one himself on Saturday, but it was his cross that Gundogan headed home – a pinpoint delivery that broke Spurs’ resistance. 

    SHOOTING PRACTICE FOR CITY

    After their solid start, Spurs were nowhere in the game once they conceded. City took control, dominating possession in their usual fluid style and patiently building attack after attack. Spurs barely had a sight at goal – indeed, two City players had more shots individually than Tottenham had as a team. 

    SHOT-SHY SPURS KEPT QUIET

    The lack of threat to City keeper Ederson’s goal was somewhat surprising given how potent Spurs can be in attack. It took a long-range strike from Harry Kane early in the second-half to finally test the Brazilian, and he was equal to it, pulling out an excellent save. 

    DE BRUYNE TEARING LEAGUE APART

    Kane’s shot was the beginning of a period of sustained Spurs pressure, but it was no surprise to see how that ended. City held firm, and then, the moment they saw an opening, they pulled out a devastating counter. And predictably, it was star man Kevin De Bruyne who finished off the move, with a thunderous shot that burst through Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris’ hands. 

    CITY’S SURPRISE TOP SCORER

    De Bruyne having a telling impact is a regular occurrence, and it was exactly what was expected of the Belgian when he was bought two seasons ago. Few could have expected the other player having a consistent impact on City’s attack. As it stands, however, the club’s top scorer this season is not Sergio Aguero or Gabriel Jesus, but a certain Raheem Sterling, who bagged his 14th and 15th goals of City’s campaign as the league leaders picked Spurs apart at the end of the game. His brace him also took him to 11 league goals, the first time in his career he’s reached double digits for league goals. 

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